KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — After setting Zepp Kuala Lumpur alight with an unforgettable performance in 2023, Japanese rock band Man with a Mission (MWAM) is gearing up to storm Malaysia once again this December 12.
As announced in July, the band will return as part of the Asia leg of their ‘Howling Across the World 2025’ tour — returning to the very stage where they made their electrifying Malaysia debut two years ago.
For those new to MWAM, the band burst onto the scene in 2010, instantly recognisable for their iconic wolf masks, genre-blending sound and explosive energy.
Their discography features powerful tracks like Raise Your Flag, My Hero and Seven Deadly Sins — several of which have been used in popular anime series, including Inuyashiki and Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, with some serving as opening themes.
Their fanbase has soared globally — from Europe and the UK to across Asia — with Malaysia steadily cultivating a passionate following of its own.
MWAM electrifies the crowd with a powerful on-stage performance. — Picture via Instagram/mwamofficial
Why Malaysia made the cut for MWAM’s 2025 world tour
In an exclusive interview with Malay Mail, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, Jean-Ken Johnny, shared that they had an amazing time in Malaysia, praising the crowd’s energy at their 2023 concert — and said they knew right away they had to include Malaysia in their 2025 tour.
Describing the energy in their performance here, Johnny had nothing but positivity, stating, “We never thought that many people would gather in the venue,” he said.
“We were aware that many people on X (formerly Twitter) were posting ‘You guys should come to Malaysia one day’ for a long time.
“A lot of people came to that show, the energy was great, it was a lot of fun, we never expected that much,” he added.
A 15-year journey and a bold new single
The band has been going strong for 15 years, captivating audiences around the world with their music.
Reflecting on the journey, Johnny shared that while their sound, songwriting style, and core philosophy haven’t changed much, what has evolved is their perspective — they now find greater joy, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose in simply being a band.
“The fun, the love of being in a band, has grown a lot more since the old days.”
That said, Johnny stated the band recently created something quite different from their usual style — their latest single, Against The Kings And Gods, written by Johnny himself, which dropped last month.
“The sound was meant to be different from what we usually created — I tried to create something different both in sound and in lyrics that the band has never really attempted before, so I chose a dark and huge majestic track,” he said.
“I chose mythology as the story envisioned, like the image of one human being facing supernatural powers like gods and kings.”
He added how in the real world, people always face struggles against uncontrollable things and the overwhelming powers of life itself.
“We hope those who listen to this song feel a spirit awaken within them, maybe strength that refuses to yield to anything or anyone,” he added.
The song has undeniably made a powerful impact since its release, quickly racking up thousands of streams on YouTube and Spotify, and drawing widespread acclaim — with fans hailing it as “epic,” “awesome,” and even “the best song ever.”
In addition to their recent single, MWAM’s latest release is the EP titled XV e.p., which dropped on March 12, 2025 to mark the band’s 15th anniversary.
The EP features tracks like Vertigo, Circles, Reaching for the Sky, and Whispers of the Fake, showcasing both their signature energy and a more introspective sound.
The EP has been released digitally worldwide, with exclusive physical editions for Europe and the UK arriving in September
MWAM ignites the stage with a powerful performance. — Picture via Instagram/mwamofficial
MWAM gears up for Malaysia comeback and future releases
If you think 15 years is all there is, think again — the band is moving forward stronger than ever, with plans in the pipeline for new tracks and a new album, especially since it’s been four to five years since their last full release, which Johnny hopes will see progress soon.
For now, MWAM is set to tour across Asia starting in November, with stops in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
“We’ve been talking about touring in Asia for a long time since that last tour (2023), and it’s really great touring all over Asia.”
He added that when the band returned to Japan, the energy they gathered from the previous Asia tour inspired and energised them for the rest of their musical journey.
With their Malaysia concert just three months away, MWAM is ready to return, and Johnny hopes both the band and Malaysian fans will share a once-in-a-lifetime experience together.
“It was great the last time, and since this is our second visit, it’s going to be even better than what you experienced two years ago,” he concluded.
